Off-duty Chicago cop subdues Mich. burglar

January 20, 2009

A Michigan man was charged with robbery today after breaking into an off-duty Chicago police officer's car and home garage near Bloomingdale, Mich., sparking a confrontation.

It happened around 3:12 Sunday at the officer's home in the 25300 block of Sunset Circle, Van Buren County sheriff's police said in a release. The off-duty officer, 40, confronted the burglar, who struck him repeatedly in the face before the officer could subdue him.

Mateo Angel-Escalante, 26, of Bloomingdale, Mich. was ordered held Tuesday in lieu of $75,000 on the robbery charge, said Sgt. Wayne Polomcak.

Police have received other complaints of vehicle thefts in that area and are investigating whether Angel-Escalante is responsible.

The off-duty officer, whose name was not released, told police his wrist may have been broken during the struggle.